Clarence or Claire

In 1904, Roger Andrews takes his wife Claire and their five children to a canyon home they have never seen. On the way, Roger is killed. Claire cuts her waist-length hair and puts on Roger's clothes and poses as big brother Clarence to get them safely to their destination. Their new home is in Collins Canyon below Misty Mountain and the twin falls. The high falls is so high the water forms a mist that gives the mountain its name. The lower falls is only a few hundred feet high. The...
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In 1904, Roger Andrews takes his wife Claire and their five children to a canyon home they have never seen. On the way, Roger is killed. Claire cuts her waist-length hair and puts on Roger's clothes and poses as big brother Clarence to get them safely to their destination. Their new home is in Collins Canyon below Misty Mountain and the twin falls. The high falls is so high the water forms a mist that gives the mountain its name. The lower falls is only a few hundred feet high. The Misty River then flows through Collins Canyon, down the rapids, past Twin Falls City, and on through Triangle Valley.George Royce, the rancher who owns most of Triangle Valley, has tried to kill Barnaby Collins for ten years so he can build a dam across Collins Canyon and irrigate thousands of acres of land he owns. So George makes plans for Clarence Andrews.While being the valley's most eligible bachelor, Clarence has to contend with all the women who want him. Clarence falls in love with Chad who works for George Royce. Clarence becomes Chad's best friend. When Clarence kisses Chad when they are alone on the mountain, Chad is terrified of the feelings he has for Clarence because Chad thinks that Clarence is a man. Follow the road to adventure and romance with Claire.This novel is about a young family on their way to their new home in Colorado from Ohio. They were wealthy, but they sold everything in Ohio to go to a new home that only Roger C. Andrews has seen. (The C is for Charles) Roger bought a canyon from Barnaby Collins because he loved it so much. He was tired of all the work involved in being the owner of a big store in Ohio. As a lark, they were taking a covered wagon to their new home following spring into the mountains.Roger is killed trying to save his wife from a rapist. Claire, the young widow with five children, kills the rapist by mashing his head with a rock. After the inquest and funeral, she is taken advantage of by an older couple with no children. They want her to be Hagar for Sarah. She and her children escape but as a result of her fears for herself and her children, she cuts off her long beautiful hair and pretends to be a man.Claire is 28 years old, 5'10". Roger was 6'. She puts on Roger's clothes and her riding boots and becomes Roger C. Andrews, (but I go by my middle name, Clarence or Clare for short. She had been signing his name to all the checks for years.)Her oldest daughter Virginia cuts her hair. It was below-the-waist auburn, now it is man-length auburn. The family continues to their new home. Claire becomes the older brother for her three sisters and two brothers because she doesn't look old enough to be their father.Meet Linda Royce who teases everyman who comes near her but she wants Chad and Clarence to be her lovers and settles on David when the other two won't have her. Meet Junior Royce whose night with a prostitute leads him to think that eleven-year-old Virginia Andrews will put out for him. Meet Kevin Royce who becomes pards with Ruth Andrews (another eight-year old) who attracts the attention of a pedophile. Meet Janey whose tragic life meets a tragic end. Meet Grump McGee who tries to keep the Royce family from self-destructing. Meet Gladys Smith, Linda's best friend, who wants Chad and Clarence to love her and settles for the son of the doctor. Meet Margaret Royce wife of George who knows all about the pedophile but says nothing because she is almost as warped.Meet Doreen, Janie's mother who has a secret that keeps her from marrying Grump McGee.Meet Judge Crandall, and Doc who manage to save a rotten teenager from hanging. Meet the banker who conspires to drive Clarence and his family out of the valley until he sees the light. Meet the banker who snubs the important people in Triangle Valley because friendship is more important than business associates. Meet the deputy who works for Royce but cares about people and does what he can for others and still earn his pay.